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Know Thy Enemy: Belk Bowl Special With a Hokie Fan

By Chris Jackson

Nov 25, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks tight end Austin Cantrell (44) is congratulated by wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks tight end Austin Cantrell (44) is congratulated by wide receiver Drew Morgan (80) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Belk Bowl gets closer and closer, I traded a Q&A with Hokie fan and FanSided’s Virginia Tech site expert, JW Gravley from fightinggobbler.com. JW and I talk about what the keys to the game are for each team and how we think this one ends up. Enjoy!

1. How do you think Hokie fans felt being placed in the Belk Bowl against Arkansas after playing in the ACC Championship game? Do you feel there was some disrespect to V.T. with this Bowl placement?

 

I think the fans were happy with the Belk Bow. In reality, Charlotte is only a 2-hour drive from Virginia. It is better than them going back to Florida. However, I do think they would have been happier playing in the Orange Bowl, but that is okay as well. Disrespect wise, I do not think there was any. The Belk Bowl is a good bowl and Tech is playing a good Razorbacks squad as well. 

2. Virginia Tech’s Jerod Evans and Arkansas’ Austin Allen are both really solid quarterbacks. Who do you think comes out with the bigger game and why?

Jerod Evans. I think with his size, speed, and arm I think it will be too much for the Razorbacks defense. If this is Ford and Hodges last game with Virginia Tech, I believe we will see Evans get them more involved than any other game this season. Allen will be productive, but just not as much as Evans.

3. Although the Hokies have the 23rd ranked passing defense in the country, how do you feel they will be able to stop Arkansas with as many big playmakers as they have at receiver and tight end?

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It will come down to discipline. If Tech can get rushes and disguise their blitz then I believe they will shut down the playmakers for the Hogs. However, there are several players on the offensive side of the ball for Arkansas that should worry the Hokies on defense.

4. Hokie defensive players Ken Ekanem, Tremaine Edmunds and Woody Baron have all proven they can get to the quarterback this season but how do you think they will fair against the offensive line for the Razorbacks?

It depends. If they come out of the tunnel on December 29 with aggression there won’t be a thing the Razorbacks can do to slow them down. Go back to the Miami game and watch that film reel. If that defensive line shows up, it will be a long day for the Hogs offensive line.

5. The Hokies are favored in the Belk Bowl but were also favored against Georgia Tech and lost by 10 points. What do you think they have to do to make sure they don’t drop the ball again and fall to an underdog like Arkansas?

They were favored by 15+ against Syracuse and lost that one, too. They aren’t highly favorites against the Hogs but this could be an upset game if the running and passing game for the Hogs is on point. If Tech can shut them down offensively then I do not see this being one of those games. But go back to this article http://fightinggobbler.com/2016/12/07/keys-to-beat-arkansas/ – I go through some keys for the Hokies. First, stop the running. Second, stop the passing. Third, do not turn it over.

 

Must Read: Arkansas Defensive Numbers and Reaction (VIDEO)

6) Hokies 38, Razorbacks 24

I’d like to thank JW for his time and doing our final Q&A segment of the 2016 football season. Head on over to fightinggobbler.com to find the interview I did with him and my Belk Bowl prediction. Woo pig!

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